Skye Camanachd followed up their pre-season win over Lovat with a 5-4 derby victory over Kinlochshiel in their friendly match at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree on Saturday 23 February 2019.

Skye co-managers Allan MacLeod and Kenny MacLeod added Iain MacLellan, Chris Rose and Ross MacKinnon to the squad with MacLellan starting in attack in place of Ross Gordon who was carrying an injury.

This was Kinlochshiel’s first pre-season outing and manager Johnston Gill was missing defenders Mark MacDonald and Connor Cormack as well as attacker Jordan Fraser. Former Inverness and Boleskine player Stuart MacRae, who started his career with ‘Shiel, played in goal in place of Scott Kennedy who retired at the end of last season. This was also a first match back following a hand injury for John MacRae whilst his brother Keith MacRae was a surprise inclusion as a substitute.

There was a minute’s silence ahead of throw up to remember Skye Camanachd stalwart Sammy Gordon who passed away a couple of days earlier.

Skye played towards the Viewfield end of the ground in the first half of this 3pm throw up.

Skye opened by showing some good movement although they looked a little rusty in front of goal but they created the game’s first real chance when good play from John Gillies saw him find Will Cowie on the Skye left. Cowie crossed to Iain MacLellan but his shot went wide of target.

However it was ‘Shiel who took the lead, against the run of play, when Duncan “DA” MacRae sent a long ball forward from wide on the left to John MacRae on the edge of the D. MacRae took the ball down and shot goalwards and although Skye keeper Ryan Morrison got a foot to the ball, he couldn’t keep it out and the visitors led 1-0 with 12 minutes played.

‘Shiel went in hunt of a second goal and Ryan Morrison was quickly off his line to foil John MacRae as the Scotland forward burst through the middle.

Play switched to the other end and, on 17 minutes, Jordan Murchison’s shot flashed just wide of the keeper’s right post.

On 22 minutes, John MacRae won possession on the left and cut inside but Ryan Morrison made a great parry with his caman, turning MacRae’s shot away for a corner on the ‘Shiel left.

‘Shiel kept pressing and they created another chance but Martin MacRae’s shot through a ruck of players went past the post.

Skye responded and Jordan Murchison’s effort from the right soared over the top.

A superb challenge from Skye full back Jamie Gillies on Ali Nixon snuffed out a good ‘Shiel opportunity on 28 minutes.

Keith MacRae made his introduction on the half hour, replacing youngster Martin MacRae at right wing centre.

Skye equalised on 35 minutes. A James Pringle shot was saved by Stuart MacRae but Jordan Murchison was in the right place to sweep home the rebound and make it 1-1.

‘Shiel had a chance to go back in front on 41 minutes when Ally “Cleodi” MacLeod was penalised for “hacking” on John MacRae’s caman inside the D. John MacRae took the penalty but Ryan Morrison made a great save with feet; turning the ball away for a corner on the ‘Shiel left.

A couple of minutes later, Iain MacLellan shot across goal but just wide and, just 30 seconds before the break, a long hit-in from Donald Nixon found Ali Nixon and he took the ball down before firing goalwards but Ryan Morrison made a fantastic save with his hand and it remained 1-1 at the break.

Skye took the lead for the first time in the match on 51 minutes. Ally “Cleodi” MacLeod sent the ball down the right side where James Pringle showed great skill as he gathered the ball and cut inside towards the D before finishing low into the net to make it 2-1.

It only took Kinlochshiel 7 minutes to level. The ball was played forward to John MacRae in a central position and he juggled the ball before flicking it over his head to Duncan Matheson on the left and he beat the keeper on right side to make it 2-2.

The Skye midfield looked very energetic and the hosts went on to have a devastating 10 minute spell.

First, on 62 minutes, Ally “Cleodi” MacLeod’s hit-in from the right wasn’t cleared by the visiting defence and William MacKinnon was strong in the challenge, taking the ball to his left side, on the run, before shooting across the keeper into the net to make it 3-2. It was a brilliant goal and no more than the youngster deserved for a dominant display throughout the game.

Just 4 minutes later, Jordan Murchison, at second attempt, fired high into the net from right side of the D following a corner and Skye now led 4-2.

Skye scored a fifth on 68 minutes. The ball was played into the danger area where ‘Shiel were unable to clear and Jordan Murchison fired home to complete his hat-trick, putting his injury woes from last season firmly behind him.

Kinlochshiel showed that they weren’t out of it when John MacRae got on the end of a break forward and he knocked the ball high into net to make it 5-3 with 71 minutes on the clock.

Just a couple of minutes later, Duncan “WD” MacRae made it 5-4, striking the ball low into the net from a free-hit.

The Skye substitutes combined as Chris Rose played a one-two with Ross MacKinnon, on for his debut, and Rose lofted an effort from wide on the left in on goal. Keeper Stuart MacRae had to chest the ball down and played it out for a corner on the Skye left.

Another shot from wide on the left, this time from Will Cowie, dipped just over the top and there were just 7 minutes to go.

Skye goalie Ryan Morrison then had to move quickly to his left to save with his feet from Finlay MacRae’s 18 yard shot.

With no further scoring, Skye took the spoils as they recorded their first win over Kinlochshiel since 2010.

This was a very entertaining game, well refereed by John Angus Gillies.

The Skye management were happy to see their pre-season work paying off on the field of play; highlighting the effort shown as well as the movement up front and some dominant displays across the park.

The competitive action starts this coming Saturday as Skye host Glasgow Mid Argyll in the Mowi National Division.